The Rising: Olivia Callahan Suspense

Olivia Callahan Suspense #2

by Kerry Peresta

After an assault that landed her in the hospital as a Jane Doe two years earlier, Olivia Callahan has regained her speech, movement, and much of the memory she lost due to a traumatic brain injury. The media hype about the incident has faded away, and Olivia is ready to rebuild her life, but her therapist insists she must continue to look back in order to move forward. The only person that can help her recall specifics is her abusive ex-husband, Monty, who is in prison for murder. The thought of talking to Monty makes her skin crawl, but for her daughters’ sake and her own sanity, she must learn more about who she was before the attack.

Just as the pieces of her life start falling into place, she stumbles across the still-warm body of an old friend who has been gruesomely murdered. Her dream of pursuing a peaceful existence is shattered when she learns the killer left evidence behind to implicate her in the murder. The only person that would want to sabotage her is Monty—but he’s in prison! Something sinister is going on, and Olivia is desperate to figure it out before another senseless murder is committed.

Genres: Suspense

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Kerry Peresta is a former advertising account executive and copywriter-turned-suspense novelist, whose sharp wit and Southern roots fuel page-turning stories. After decades of crafting punchy headlines and persuasive campaigns, she traded the corporate world for full time writing and the salty air of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Kerry is the author Olivia Callahan Suspense, a five-book series; and standalone thriller Back Before Dawn, all released by Level Best Books. With the fifth installment of her series releasing August, 2025, she continues to prove that danger can be as close as the neighbor next door. Her humor column, “The Lighter Side,” appeared weekly in the Pierre Daily Journal from 2009-11; and her articles, stories, and interviews have also appeared in Local Life Magazine, Lady Lowcountry Magazine, Island Events Magazine, and Bluffton Breeze. Her short story, “The Day the Migraine Died,” appeared in Rock, Roll & Ruin, an anthology by Triangle Sisters in Crime, 2022, and she helped create the mystery podcast “Guns, Knives & Lipstick,” which had a run of three years. Kerry is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, South Carolina Writers Association, and Island Writers Network. She and her husband enjoy the laid-back, refreshing vibe of the Lowcountry, and live on Hilton Head Island. They enjoy long walks on the beach, their three cats, an ever-expanding flock of grandkids, and the occasional road trip. Discover more at kerryperesta.com.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia Callahan is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury. She is mostly good but has still not recovered all of her early memories and, when stressed, is prone to fainting. A quick hit of caffeine can usually nip this in the bud though.

At the start of the story Olivia visits her ex husband, Monty, in prison where he is serving 10 years for manslaughter (I think). It is her first and only visit and she just wants some clues about her earlier self. Otherwise she is over Monty as he was partly to blame for her injuries and he is a manipulative a-hole.

Her elderly divorce lawyer Earl Sorensen has offered her a job as his receptionist but when she arrives for the interview she finds his dead body in a pool of blood behind his desk. Meanwhile Detective Hunter Farraday, who worked on Olivia’s assault case, nearly gets killed by a car bomb. Hunter and Olivia have kept in touch. There is a whiff of potential romance but whenever Olivia has a problem she calls him anyway.

Also, a re-zoning decision has led to a portion of what Olivia thought of as her land being sold. The buyer is Wyatt Harp, a lawyer from (I forget) and he explains the camera she found in a tree, that kind of freaked her out, is so can keep an eye on the place while building work proceeds. But Wyatt is not quite as he seems. Well you could see that one coming a mile away!

How does all this tie together? Well it kind of does but I think it would be clearer if I had read the first book, The Deadening. As it was I was pretty confused for most of the book about how Olivia got injured and who the heck was Niles Peterson? He was constantly mentioned but not explained. Nor was what exactly happened to him, how he and Olivia interacted and what Monty did or didn’t do to her.

I found the story quite slow. There was so much introspection about Olivia’s mental state. But the kicker was her mother Sophie! She was totally and utterly annoying - constantly inserting herself into every aspect of Olivia’s life and treating her like a child. Olivia herself ended up being almost manically cheerful. It was all too much for me and although things happened throughout the book, none of it was particularly exciting. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a much appreciated free copy of the e-arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, don’t ya just love that cover? Sometimes I will grab a book for that reason alone, but not so in the case of The Rising by Kerry Peresta. I loved her first book in the series, The Deadening, so I quickly dove into The Rising, which is an appropriate title as Olivia Callhan makes the most of her chance to remake herself after being in a coma following an assault and subsequent amnesia.

“You should’ve returned my calls, you idiot. It didn’t have to end like this.”

A great start to The Rising by Kerry Peresta, and I was immediately caught up in the mystery. And, of course, Olivia Callahan is smack dab in the middle of it.

Monty, her ex husband, is in prison, but that doesn’t stop him from manipulating people and complicating her life. She talks herself into visiting him. She is surprised at his appearance, Schwartzenegger in a room full of Danny Devitos. Had me laughing out loud. Her hope was to be able to move forward, but she needed some answers from him first. He is slick and I would be careful of anything he says.

‘Sherry’ plays a bigger part in each story and I love that my namesake is turning into a kickass character.

Olivia had written a book about her experiences and regrets doing so. It puts her in the limelight, recognized everywhere she goes. Her agent is constantly harping on her to write another one, but she has no interest in doing so.

Her love interest, Hunter Faraday, is a very patient man. He will have to be if he wants a relationship with her. She still doesn’t know who she really is, though her personality is done a three hundred and sixty degree turn and I am loving the new her. She falters now and then, but that is to be expected. She is still trying to learn her past.

Her girlfriends stick by her, but Hannah is now on my shit list. Can she redeem herself?

Bells and clangs and alarms sounded in my mind like a fire truck screaming down the freeway.

Want a profound quote. The whole book had me feeling that way. Murder, bombs, revenge, and a new start for Olivia. She’s not happy with the police investigation, so she is starting one of her own.

I was so sad for Niles. Can someone be all bad? Do they deserve a second chance?

Well, The Rising by Kerry Peresta was a wild rollercoaster ride of mystery and emotion, and I expected no less after reading The Deadening. We have so much action and intrigue, I couldn’t stop reading, t times wanting to wring her neck and punch out some of the other characters. Other times, the characters rose to the occasion, making me glad to know she has people like that around her. I will immediately be cracking open The Torching. I guess we’ll be seeing a fire…maybe two…maybe more, going by the title?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Rising by Kerry Peresta.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Rising, the second book in the Olivia Callahan Suspense Series, author Kerry Peresta weaves a suspenseful tale that follows the challenges that Olivia Callahan faces as she continues to put the pieces of her life back together after a traumatic assault.

Two years ago, Olivia was assaulted and suffered a traumatic brain injury in Richmond, Virginia. Fast-forward, Olivia's journey of recovering and reclaiming her life is ongoing but there are still gaps in the memory of her past. Her therapist told her that she needs to look back into her past in order to move forward with her life, unfortunately that means visiting her ex-husband Monty in prison, and asking him questions about who she was before the assault. But her path to reclaiming her life is not so easy, because someone is trying to implicate Olivia in the murder of her attorney, and she is determined to find out who that person is, and uncover the reason behind the murder.

Author Kerry Peresta weaves an intriguing and suspenseful tale set in the alternating locales of Richmond, Virginia, and Glyndon, Maryland, that follows Olivia Callahan on her quest to reclaim her life after a vicious assault left her with a traumatic brain injury, and gaps in the memory of her past. You can't help but get drawn into Olivia's story as she gives a realistic depiction of the challenges she faced as she puts her life back together, especially when she becomes entangled in the murder of her attorney.

Told in the present time and interwoven with flashbacks to her past, the reader gets to follow Olivia as her memories return via triggers. Olivia is no longer the person she used to be, and with the help of Detective Hunter Faraday, she wants to find the person who murdered her attorney, and finally move on with her life.

The story has a great mixture of drama and suspense that keeps the reader engaged and guessing what will happen in this slow-building, cat-n-mouse game that Olivia gets caught up in. Olivia's journey to reclaim her life is filled with grit, emotions, family drama, deceit, heartbreak, and realistic trials and tribulations, you can't help but take that journey with Olivia as she discovers the truth behind her assault and her attorney's murder, it will simply leave the reader stunned.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the "rising" quotes that began each chapter. In the author's note at the end of the book, she states that the book is about overcoming challenges, and making the choice to rise above them, that is an amazing statement that really resonated with me.

I can't wait to read the third book in the Olivia Callahan Suspense Series.

The Rising is a riveting and suspenseful story that you won't be able to put down.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rising is the second book in the series featuring Olivia Callahan. This book can be a stand alone but I think it might be better to have read the first book in the series. I think if I had read it I would have appreciated the progress she has made after her head injury resulting in a coma and amnesia. Olivia is still trying to remember the missing parts but is starting to have small memories and strong feelings about certain events. Disconcerting events and dangerous things start happening that leaves her suspicious and a little paranoid. Car bombing and the murder of her attorney are just a few of the things that upset her. Her family and Hunter will do their best to help and support her as she tries to solve these mysteries and get used to her new life.

I received an ARC from BookSirens for an unbiased review.

[James L'Etoile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry Peresta has done a masterful job capturing the emotional aftermath of a violent encounter that nearly killed Olivia Callahan. Families are forever changed by violence and some families never forget. The Rising follows Olivia’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury as her memories of an abusive relationship begin to return to threaten her life once more. A propulsive, cleverly crafted thriller.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is definitely a sequel. I have read the previous novel and this one is best appreciated if the earlier book is read first.

The narrative begins with fragmented information. Granted, Olivia is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and partial memory loss. I do wish there had been more of a review of events from the first book, however. As Olivia regains more memories, we do find out how she received her TBI but not until the last quarter of the book.

Perhaps because of her brain injury, I did not find Olivia such an engaging character. I did appreciate her attempts to put herself in situations where memories would be triggered. I didn't understand her attitude toward Hunter, often sabotaging a potential romance. And her planned change in profession at the end did not seem reasonable to me based on her earlier behavior in the book.

A pet peeve of mine is an author creating multiple characters beginning with the same letter. Here we have Hazel, Hunter, Hannah and Sophie, Serena, and Sherry. I like Jerry Jenkins' suggestion that, with twenty-six letters in the alphabet, there is no need to have characters with the same initial letters.

I liked the mystery. We readers may not have figured out all the details in a timely fashion as most of the needed information was reveled late in the book. The murderer was no surprise as I was leery of that character from the first appearance.

This is a pretty entertaining mystery but to fully appreciate it, I do recommend reading the first book in the series.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS -

Woohoo!!! Just what I wanted! I loved the first Olivia Callahan Suspense, The Deadening. I have been waiting a year for the second book in this series to come out. So worth the wait!

You might as well grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and get comfortable in your favorite chair because you’re gonna wanna settle in for the long-haul. You won’t want to stop reading until the end.

A very character driven story and I love that. I fell in love with Olivia in The Deadening and just loved her even more in this one. It was wonderful seeing my old "friend" again. I have a thing for books about memory loss. This series is just fantastic. Every time Olivia remembered some of her past, I cheered a little bit. I loved how much she had grown and continues to change in her recovery.

I thought the author had some pretty clever ways of weaving the previous book with this one, so it didn’t feel like you were reading paragraphs of catch-up.

Oh the suspense! Quite a few gasp worthy moments. Olivia was not the only one paranoid, I was suspicious of literally everyone. Time well spent on the edge of my seat. With a very satisfying ending.

OK Kerry, next book please! :-)



I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!

[Sam Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second instalment in the Olivia Callahan series but can be read as a standalone novel (I had not read the first Olivia adventure). A slow burning but enjoyable thriller/suspense story in which we find poor Olivia struggling with the aftermath of an horrific brain injury, which has left her with no memories and a change in her personality. With her ex husband in prison she's now a single parent and starts to go forward with her life when she goes for an interview for a job as a receptionist disaster once again strikes! Still reeling from her discovery, life is going to get worse as she becomes embroiled in an act of deadly revenge and retribution.
Received a copy from BookSirens and I am leaving a voluntary review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Level Best Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A thriller that should keep you spellbound throughout.

[Laraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Rising’ is the second in the Olivia Callahan series. It is an enthralling sequel to ‘The Deadening’, although it can be read as a stand-alone.

It is two years since the assault that left Olivia with a traumatic brain injury, but questions surrounding her attack still haunt her. Is she being paranoid, or is that a product of her injury? In the process, Olivia learns to face her fears, and attempts to adjust to the changes both in her personality and in her altered relationships with family and friends. The psychological challenges of overcoming her memory loss is, for me, one of the most interesting aspects of this book. Olivia’s determination to find a way forward after a life-changing experience is realistically portrayed and inspirational.

However, ‘The Rising’ is also a mystery, and here it delivers, in spades. The twists and turns in the story, the red herrings and the depth of the intrigue make this an engrossing read. The reader questions the motivations of certain characters: are they are a threat to Olivia or can they can be trusted? Is Olivia being paranoid in being suspicious of people’s motivations? Who is responsible for the murder of Olivia’s former attorney, and how does this relate to her and the original assault two years before? Olivia’s flashbacks and the gradual return of her memory contribute to the resolution of the puzzle underpinning both ‘The Deadening’ and ‘The Rising’, as well as signalling her emergence from a devastating experience.

This is a suspenseful and intriguing story that gripped me from page one.

[Coy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second entry in the Olivia Callahan series from Kerry Peresta, The Rising is an immersive, atmospheric, and charming psychological mystery. Peresta's skill ensures that the central drama of the novel swells around the reader, enveloping, leaving you an investigator and witness, tempting the gossiper, alluring the judge, connecting, engaging, immersing. You attach to the characters, especially sympathetic Olivia, and this makes the world of The Rising a comfort to enter and anxiety to leave. You want Olivia to clear the fog of her past but continue to grow. You want everyone to detach from narcissistic Monty, and you want resolution about the murder in which Olivia has been implicated.

For me, the power of the writing is in the level of detail. This is such a carefully composed book. Peresta has a wonderful ear for dialogue, an expert grasp of perspective (chapters move from first to third person smoothly), and a painter’s eye for the details that vivify.

And then there’s the murder and mystery, but you’ll have to read the book for that! Highly recommend.

[Bekah's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having awakened from a coma, trying to find out who Olivia Callahan really is and coming to the realisation of who it was that almost killed you... I highly recommend this book for any of those who love a good mystery.
For this being a second book in a series, you do not need to have read the first.

The Rising, from the beginning had me gripped. With Peresta's immersive writing, you are whisked away and right there with Olivia as the story unfolds.
The book had me guessing all the way through, throwing my suspicions at anyone and everyone!

There is enormous room for a 3rd book. I for one would love to see how Olivia's first job goes and what might unfold with that, I already have a slight suspicion - but clearly I was wrong with them throughout this book! I'll stick to my reviews and Peresta can stick to her wonderful and compelling writing.

*****

Thank you to the Publisher and Booksirens for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Dana Ridenour · Rating 5 out of 5]

With countess twists and turns, Kerry Peresta takes readers on a spellbinding journey in her new book, The Rising, the second book in the Olivia Callahan suspense series. Olivia Callahan is back and trying to rebuild her life after a traumatic brain injury left her with memory loss. As she struggles to pick up the pieces to have a normal life, she manages to find herself in numerous life threatening situations. The Rising is a wild adventure filled with interesting, multi-dimensional characters.

[Cathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awaking from a comma after an almost deadly head injury, Olivia Callahan has no idea who she is, what’s happened, or anything in her past. As bits and pieces of her memory return, she begins to put the fragments together. With the help of Richmond Detective Hunter Faraday, she discovers what really happened on the fateful weekend of her assault and who is responsible for her near death.

Author Kerry Peresta has created a compelling, well-written mystery that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the exciting end.

[Mally Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

eviewed in the United States on May 20, 2022
Olivia Callahan's traumatic brain injury has left her with a new, more outspoken personality and a patchy memory. All she wants now is a job and a quiet life for herself and her two girls. But the quiet life will have to wait. Her house is under surveillance by parties unknown, the attractive Detective Farraday is almost killed, and then the trouble really starts. I'm an Olivia Callahan fan. After reading the first book in this series, I loved watching Olivia face down personal challenges, not to mention murder and danger, in this new un-putdownable suspense novel. I can't wait to see where Olivia's life goes next and am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Lisa Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rising is the second book in The Olivia Callahan Suspense Series. I read this as a stand-alone, the author Kerry Peresta makes it easy to read that way. This is a well written story with a well developed plot and characters. The details in Peresta’s descriptions keeps you engaged and turning the pages. This story has a lot of mystery, murder and twist and turns that makes it very suspenseful! It is a clever thought out mystery that should be read by all.

Thank you Partners in Crime Tours, Kerry Peresta and Level Best Books for a copy of this intriguing book in exchange for my honest review.
#partnersincrimetours #therising. #kerryperesta
#levelbestbooks

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to be an early reader for this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. In The Rising, Peresta’s writing and multi-layered depictions take readers into the heart of a woman struggling to reclaim her memories and her life. Hooked from the first page, I was rooting for her every terrifying, twisty step of the way!

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do think this needs to be read after the first book in the series. This continued Olivia's journey after the attack.

I dont want to say anymore due to the potential for spoilers; I did 'enjoy' reading it, different to other books.

I was given a copy but the review is entirely my own.

[Pat Fayo Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book of the series. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend book #1 first. This will give you more background info as to how Olivia, the protagonist, suffered a traumatic brain injury. Through out this story, you will read about how and what she endures as she tries to fit the pieces of hers and her daughter’s lives back together. This a well developed plot with some likable characters and also some sneaky shady ones. Many twists and turns will find you on the edge of your seat and holding your breath as you turn the pages of this psychological thriller. I found myself feeling the threats and emotions the author described in Olivia’s experiences.

The characters are well developed, some dynamic and some unforgettable. In this book you know Olivia as a strong person who will do whatever it takes to figure it all out and get her life back. As the book moves along, good and bad memories will surface. You will see Olivia in many different perspectives. The author put lots of emotions, heartbreaks, deceit and some setbacks. Discovering who assaulted Olivia and why will be the main focus with a few subplots in the book also.

I think this book has a fascinating plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, and glued to the book to find the answers. At each twist and turn, you will want more! Who killed the divorce lawyer? Who killed the second lawyer? Was Monty, Olivia’s ex husband involved at all? Will Olivia and or her daughter’s survive?

I would definitely recommend this book but be careful reading it at night…..every twist or turn, every creak in the floor, may scare you and send shivers up your spine!

Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, #kerryperesta for an ARC copy of this psychological crime thriller. I have read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Gregory Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rising is the second installment in the Olivia Callahan mystery series. I will confess at the outset, I have not read the first book, The Deadening, so for much of The Rising, I was at a loss to completely understand all of what was going on (semi-spoiler alert: near the end of The Rising, much of the back story from the first book is revealed. Second alert: This in no way detracts from The Rising, which is an excellent read in its own right). In any event, following a brutal attack, which took place in the first book, Olivia has emerged from a lengthy coma, with some, but not all, of her memories intact. And so, she begins to rebuild her life, partly with the support of her gal posse, the “Wine and Whine” group (loved this). Unfortunately, she is also obliged to rely to a degree upon her incarcerated husband, Monty, a convicted murderer, to help fill some of the gaps in her memory. However, her progress is interrupted when she discovers the body of an old friend, and Olivia herself becomes a suspect in his murder. This is a good read, one that makes me want to add Kerry to my go-to author list. She’s done an excellent job with The Rising, and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Gregory Stout, author of Gideon’s Ghost, Connor’s War, Lost Little Girl, and The Gone Man.

[Randi Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to The Deadening and it is best if you have read that book first. The characters are the same and the relationships between them are still developing. Olivia Callahan, Mercy's Miracle, was assaulted and left for dead in Richmond two years ago. She awoke a different person (so she is told). She is recovering at her farm in Maryland, but she still has gaps in her memories that she is straining to recover. This book deals with her attempts to recover those memories and get to know her teenage daughters again. The book started a little slowly until it dawned on me that she was THAT Olivia Callahan. I loved The Deadening and the characters in it. so my interest picked up exponentially. Throw in a visit to her ex in prison, an unwelcome but nice new neighbor, some bombings, and a murder and you have a good book. How do these things connect to Olivia? You will have to read to find out. I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens and I thoroughly enjoyed it though perhaps not as much as the first one. It still had enough suspense and twists and turns to keep me happy.

[Ashley Kanazawich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating story! The Rising is book 2 in the Olivia Callahan Suspense series and this time we are taken through the tumultuous aftermath of Olivia's attack. We thought everything had been neatly tied up with the attacker and accomplice accounted for but that's not the case at all! When Olivia finds a friend's body laying in a cloud of suspicious circumstances the complex layers of another mystery begin to unfold.

I love tagging along with the character development of Olivia as she tries to rebuild after her traumatic brain injury. A now brave and persistent women, she finds that she can put her new personality to good use as she digs deep to right the wrongs done to those she loves as well as herself. I love who she is becoming, I love her friend circle, and Hunter is back y'all!! The tantalizing tease of this "will they/won't they" relationship continues and I'm here for it!

The way this story plays out, you can definitely figure out a taste of what's really going on but the motive behind it is a shocker that will keep you page turning until the very end! Another excellent book in the series!!!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first of the Olivia Callahan series, but I was intrigued from the get-go and enjoyed the plot that Kerry Peresta delivered through strong, intriguing characters. I don't know a lot about traumatic brain injuries, but everything felt realistic and didn't make me feel that anything was over-exaggerated as often happens with situations like this.


Peresta executes all of the aspects of a mystery with precision. It leaves you questioning your sleuthing skills as a fan of the genre, wondering if you're putting reader-trust into the proper characters. (Hint: I was NOT!)


Along with the red herrings, Olivia's gradual retrieval of her memory gives you just enough meat to chew on and question everything you know up to that specific point. I didn't want to put this down because I had to know how everything twisted into the finale. I love an author who can fool me into thinking I can outsmart the villain!


I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

[CJ Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two in the Olivia Callahan series and a first for me in this book Olivia is recovering from a traumatic brain injury which has caused amnesia, I'm guessing this was the thread of book one? & although I could pick up the gist of the background I think reading book one would have can it more depth.

This book sees Olivia start to rebuild her life and consider her future but as the norm in such cases as Olivia's the past can never stay buried for long and there are unknown obstacles along the way.

This was an enjoyable read, some of the parts fell flat for me as in there was a build up and then..... also there were a lot of characters and names to remember which had me confused on a couple of occasions but I'd be interested to see were this goes with Olivia's future now taking shape.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rising is the 2nd in a series of psychological thrillers. I was concerned that I would be lost since I hadn't read book 1, but Ms. Peresta included enough backstory that I was able to make the necessary connections. There are plenty of twists and turns, unexpected developments and revelations. And while I did figure out one of the bad guys, the ending was unexpected. Ms. Peresta created characters that I enjoyed spending time with and those that I was not quite as happy about.
Having read The Rising, I'm not sure that I will go back and read book 1, but I will be sure and read the ending of the trilogy. I highly recommend Ms. Peresta's writing.
I received a review copy from the author via Netgalley and this si my honest opinion.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rising is Book 2 of the Olivia Callahan Suspense by Kerry Peresta. The Rising was a fantastic murder suspense that kept me guessing until the end. The Rising picks up the story from Book 1, The Deadening. There are many of the same characters in both stories and I like that continuity of storyline. The Rising has so many twists and turns and truthfully, I just was not sure what was going to happen next or who was the "good" characters and who was "bad" but pretended to be supportive. Books 1 and 2 are so outstanding that I can't wait to see what Kerry Peresta writes next! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is still recovering from her accident that left her in a coma and while her movement and speech have come back, her memories are slowly returning. With her ex husband Monty in prison Olivia should be safe but there are still murders happening. Will she be able to find out what is really going on before it's too late? The suspense in this is outstanding my heart was in my throat and the cat and mouse games are unbelievable. There is not a thing I would change about the book and I can't wait to read the next Olivia Callahan book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 is a more accurate rating for this second of Peresta's Olivia Callahan series. Short chapters shift among several POVs, including Olivia's first person account, and this structure moves the story along quickly. What kept this from being a solid 4 is the dearth of memories; instead, whenever Olivia begins to recall something from before her assault, the description of her physical response is longer than most of the remembrance. I do, however, like the direction Olivia's life is taking by the end of the book so I'll definitely keep going with the series.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this great novel in two sittings. Very well written and hard to put down. The book draws you in as you follow Olivia Callahan's journey after a shocking assault caused traumatic brain injury and loss of long-term memory. Murder and strange incidents in Olivia's life create havoc as she tries to recover who she was before her assault. Recommended read and worthy of five stars.